Summary of responses to UK Biological Security Strategy consultation published

Article summary

The Cabinet Office has published a summary of responses to its call for evidence on the UK Biological Security Strategy, which ran between February and April 2022. The Cabinet Office received 61 responses, which, overall, showed a general consensus that there is an increase in risk from biological security threats until 2030, with climate change and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic being strong factors. The responses also emphasises the importance of a whole-government approach to biological security, while improving access to data, data-sharing mechanisms and interoperability between governments and external partners nationally and internationally were seen as key to detecting biological threats. In addition, respondents suggested that better and more horizon-scanning and foresight mechanisms were required, identified a need to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention, and cited a greater need for targeted interventions, sustained investment and incentivisation.